Regular visitors to Stubby's know my favorite things, and, as it happens, SnowflakesChristmas Singles are a combination of almost all of those things. They are an annual tradition. I love traditions. They're Christmas, of course. And no one need wonder about my love of the Yuletide. They exist only as vinyl and I luvs me some vinyl. They come from the best Indie bands all over the world. And y'all know I have always been fascinated by the Christmas music of far away lands. And they touch upon multiple musical facets and genres while remaining completely accessible to someone who, like me, grew up addicted to purely Pop music. Snowflakes Singles are like the tastiest of holiday sweets. And who doesn't like holiday sweets? About the only thing Snowflakes Singles don't have are cats. Oh, well, there's always next year.

Begun in 2013 by my personal holiday hero, Robert Voogt, Snowflakes Christmas Singles this year turn seven. And number seven proves to be lucky for all of us.

​The original idea was to preserve, modernize, pay tribute to and carry forward the beloved institution of the Christmas single. Back in 2013, the Christmas single was all but a memory. Heck, the 7" vinyl single (Christmas or not) was all but extinct. If you're anywhere near my age, you grew up with a stack of 7" vinyl singles...it was THE medium for music for teens, tweens and young adults. Though growing older meant a move to 12" albums, most of us never lost our love of the 7" 45. But then came the digital age and, in my opinion, something was lost. For all the convenience of a digital single, you can't see it, you can't touch it, hold it in your hands, marvel at the grooves of it all, and you can't enjoy the aroma of freshly minted vinyl. We have 5 senses and digital singles only reach one. To me, things becoming less physical--more virtual--leads to a lack of trust in reality itself. Vinyl has made a bit of a comeback in recent years, but a 7" vinyl single is still the exception and not the rule. Yet a 7" vinyl single is a thing of beauty...a wonder to behold. Nothing is quite so exciting as putting a 7" record on the turntable and placing the tonearm at the beginning of the record. Oooh, the anticipation of waiting for that first note. And nothing is quite so zen as watching the record go round and round as the music plays. (And digitizing your vinyl is amusingly meta. Just sayin'.)

For his Snowflakes, Robert Voogt identifies the best emerging bands around the globe, invites their participation, and pays all recording costs. The bands or artists record one original and one cover song which are pressed to Snow White vinyl. The artists provide their own artwork, which is then reproduced to sturdy cardboard for a top quality picture sleeve. These are quality records, prepared with all the love and care which you would employ if they were your own--possibly more. The releases are very limited...no more than 320 of each (with rare exceptions)...and very reasonably priced (for comparison, the coming Cats In Space 45, which I'm also excited about, goes for 10 euros while a Snowflakes single is only 7). There's a reason Robert refers to his collection as the Snowflakes Christmas Singles Club; "membership" is extremely limited. But you don't need to be anyone special to belong...just a lover of new and exciting Christmas music. To the best of my knowledge, none of the Snowflakes Christmas singles has ever appeared anywhere else. You won't find these tunes on any CD comps anywhere and there is no second pressing; when they're gone, they're gone for good. Their quality and limited nature make them great keepsake collectibles. A copy of The Smoke Fairies' Snowflakes single, sold out for years now, will currently set you back anywhere from $20 to $40 on the secondary market, and that record is only a few years old. But you don't buy Snowflakes Christmas Singles for the investment possibilities; you buy them for the love of Christmas music and vinyl. And, if you are here at Stubby's, odds are pretty good you love Christmas music and vinyl. In short, these are just for you.

For year 7, we get 3 new records. The bands are SuperBravo (from France), Us and Them (from Sweden). and Livingmore from right here in the good old USA. As is our own tradition, here, we share our thoughts on the bands below with a more-or-less random non-Christmas cut from each of them, just so you get a taste of their sounds and styles. Pre-orders are now LIVE! Clicking on the cover art will take you to where you can pre-order each single. Or you can save money by pre-ordering a bundle of all 3, here. The official release date is November 22 but, if you pre-order early, you're likely to get your Snowflakes Singles substantially before the official release date. There are also limited quantities available of most of the previous Snowflakes Singles (several have sold out), which you can purchase individually or, if you're just getting started, bundled up in one big package of Snowflakes Christmas joy. Snowflakes Singles are also available through Bandcamp, though the 2019 additions won't be posted there for awhile and there are no bundles there.

SUPERBRAVO -- LA NUIT / CHANSON POUR LES ENFANTS L'HIVER

The Snowflakes single from SuperBravo may well be my favorite new addition to the collection. Sure, it's a foreign language, but not just any foreign language. Non, non. This is French. Oui, oui! And not just any French. These are the kind of French female vocals that make grown men weak in the knees--the kind of French female vocals that inspired our good friend Guuzbourg (Christmas A Go Go) to create the web site Filles Sourires - a music blog about girls singing in French. Or, as Robert says, "dreamy as only French female vocals can sound". He coulda said "sexy", but I guess he was going for the PG version.

SuperBravo is something of a French supergroup...featuring super sexy vocalist Armelle Pioline (of Holden), Julie Gasnier (of Lalafactory) and Michel Peteau (of Cheval Fou and Nyl). If you lived in France, you'd know those bands. The three formed SuperBravo in 2016, combining that sensual sound of 60s French Pop with 70s Pysch and 80s Synth Pop. It's a bit like Eurythmics if you softened some of the edges, took more chances with the sounds, and replaced the roar of lioness Annie Lennox with the purring of a Parisian kitten. OK, so nothing at all like Eurythmics (but I've always wanted to type "the purring of a Parisian kitten", so I can cross that off the bucket list, now). SuperBravo goes beyond any simple explanation, weaving magic and mystery into their sound. Deeply layered, endlessly fascinating, intriguing and inviting, yet thoroughly accessible.

SuperBravo's Snowflakes original is "La Nuit" ("The Night") which, even if you don't understand the lyrics, conveys the magic, majesty and mystery of Christmas Eve in all of it's wonder. You can easily visualize Santa preparing for his annual trip around the world, accompanied by the knowing excitement of elves and other mythical creatures and the singing of heavenly angels. For their cover song, SuperBravo offers their interpretation of one of the best known children's Christmas songs from France, "Chanson Pour Les Enfants l'Hiver" ("Song for the Children of Winter"), which tells the tale of a snowman who sought to warm himself by the fire...with predictable results.

If you happen to like your Rock classic and American, the Snowflakes single from L.A.'s Livingmore is for you. Livingmore formed in 2014 when vocalist Alex Moore met guitarist Spencer Livingston. The group's lineup also includes drummer Mike Schadel and Rodrigo Moreno on bass. And there's no way around it, the vocals of Alex Moore will remind you of Blondie's Debbie Harry...if Debbie Harry fronted a band that was less New Wavy and more Classic Rock. Livingmore scored something of a minor hit with "Really Mean It" a few years back and their debut full length, "OK to Land", was released last year. They're currently working on a new album with the lead single, "Dead Fruit" having just been released Friday. "Dead Fruit" tastes a bit like Rock ribs marinated in Psych and Grunge sauce (granted, that analogy is more meat than fruit).

Livingmore's Snowflakes original, "Show Me Light and Love" is an instant winner, a catchy Rocker that sounds like a lost classic from the late 70s (and the only Christmas song I can think of off hand to name-check jello molds). It's definitely something worthy of playing again and again, over and over, possibly for days at a time. They strip everything away for the flip, an acoustic cover of "Winter Wonderland", so you can focus on the fascinating harmony vocals from Moore and Livingston. That one reminds me a bit of when Columbia records would recruit a contemporary Pop act to contribute a track or two to those Goodyear albums of old. In short, their take is both fresh and traditional, destined to be enjoyed by children of all ages.

For our selection, here, we're going with "Really Mean It", which is closer in style to the hook laden "Show Me Light And Love" than is "Dead Fruit". But if this is your first encounter with Livingmore, it wouldn't surprise me if you'd want to collect up all of their works to date...which you can check out on Bandcamp.

US AND THEM -- WHEN THE STARS ARE SHINING BRIGHTLY / WINTER

The Swedish duo Us and Them are vocalist Britt Rönnholm and multi-instrumentalist Anders Håkanson. They joined forces in 2006 with a goal of capturing in music the mood of their dreams. After a few self issued EPs and an album collecting those sides, Us and Them made their "official" debut in 2009 with "Julia Dream of All the Pretty Horses". Their latest album, released last year, is "On Shipless Ocean". Often described as Acid Folk, Us and Them combine elements of Folk, Psychedlia and Baroque Pop, helping them achieve a sound that is at once fully contemporary and an echo of the past.

Us and Them make some of the most beautiful music you will ever hear. It's the soft Psych Folk of Simon & Garfunkle's "Scarborough Fair" meeting the dreamy delicate vocals of Marianne Faithful. The sound is fragile as a faberge egg, but that is deceiving. For behind the fragile facade is something of such substance and weight as to be unbreakable. Us and Them offer you the opportunity to drift off to a fantasy realm of your choosing or to contemplate the deeper meaning of your own actual life. You can even do both...simultaneously. There's a very cinematic quality to the music of Us and Them, which is highly conducive to whichever mental endeavor you undertake.

For their Snowflakes single, Us and Them have written "When The Stars Are Shining Brightly", a bit of bittersweet nostalgia mixed with the eternal question of whether one can or can not go home again. And, while most of the cover songs selected for Snowflakes singles have been well-known tunes with plenty of December miles on them, Us and Them have opted for "Winter", a relatively recent composition from Tori Amos which, in the hands of Britt and Anders, sounds like it was written especially for Us and Them(no puns intended).

For our selection, here, we've chosen a cover of The Hollies' song "Butterfly". Us and Them's version can be found on the vinyl-only Hollies tribute record "Re-Evolution" (which may or may not be sold out).

So there you have it--the Snowflakes Christmas Singles class of 2019. All female vocalists this year; I think that might be a first. This looks to be the finest Snowflakes class yet...and, yes, I said that about last year's set (I meant it then and I mean it now). Buy one, buy them all. (Cats not included). My order is in already, so there are fewer than 319 left for all y'all. Read what holiday hero Robert Voogt has to say about them--and about earlier Snowflakes--here. His insight is almost certainly better than mine. Me, I'm just a devoted fan. And, if you have some free time, you can read Robert's reviews of the vinyl Christmas singles he doesn't have a hand in creating at his Snowflakes Singles Blog. He catches so very very many that I miss.

Au revoir, mes amis. Au revoir, chats et chatons. Jusqu'à la prochaine fois. Or, as we say in this country, so long until next time.

Just a quick reminder that you've got a week left to get"A Stubby's House Christmas 2018"before it melts away forever. And it does contain a pair of great New Year's tracks...Sofia Talvik's "Poem At Year's End"andEmma Rowley'srendition of the classic"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?". Now on to some songs for New Year's.

Everything else in this post will be new (or newly discovered) and free, but we open with a nice bit of Funk that you may have missed which is neither. Recorded for the Sounds of Memphis label byKannonsomewhere between 1975 and 1985,"New Lang Syne"was unreleased until 2015, when this collection,"Groove With A Feeling"came out. If you want your New Year to be funky, this one's a good start. You can find it on Amazon.

One song available for free download that I didn't get to before Christmas (and even forgot to include in our Boxing Day post) is"Leaving The Party"from the Synth Folk group from Glasgow,The Paperback Throne. But, you know, it almost feels more appropriate for New Years. We rememberThe Paperback Thronefrom their lovely 2015 Christmas set"All Best Intentions"(which, by the way, includes the track"Resolution"). "No Mean Christmas"is still one of the best tracks I've heard since opening shop at Stubby's; if I ever did a "Best of", that would be on it. So it's good to seeThe Paperback Throneback in the seasonal music game. "Leaving The Party"is name-you-price at Bandcamp.

Every year since 2007, DJ Earworm (Jordan Roseman) has condensed the most popular music of the year into one bright and glorious Mash-Up. This year's mix is"Turnin' It Up"and features Ariana Grande, Drake, Cardi B., Post Malone, Maroon 5, Halsey and a whole bunch more. To tell you the truth, the Mash-up, itself, is pretty amazing, but I can't imagine the skills necessary to Mash-up a video of the same. Cool stuff, as always. And you'll find a free download atSoundcloud.

Speaking of Mashups, I went looking for some good new New Year's Mashups and didn't really find any. But I did find this one, which more than works,"I Love Celebrations"produced byDon Hectorand included on the latest"Best of Bootie"collection. You can get this one at Soundcloud or Sowndhaus, or just download the entire "Best of Bootie" collection (assuming you don't mind non-holiday Mashups, and why would you?).

Gotta have at least one Folk tune included, even ifTim Marrison's "New Year"is a bit Emo for my taste. Marrison recalls that the song reflects a New Year's Eve where, rather than going out to celebrate, he elected to stay home and get drunk. "A lot of good songs come out of being morbidly drunk,"Tim says."The trick is to remember them in the morning!""New Year"byTim Morrisonis free at Soundcloud.

New York Punk bandCash Registersfound the proper New Year's spirit in 2016, but I can't recall having heard"60 Seconds to Midnight"before now. It's true. We make a big deal out of New Year's, in spite of the fact that most of us don't really give a crap. Meet the New Year, same as the old year. "60 seconds to Midnight. No one even cares. Goodbye old New Year." Name-your-price atBandcamp.

Katherine Etzelis best known as a member of the Americana group Bobtown, but when she does something solo, she goes byThe Existential Bell. There are no instruments on this version of"Auld Lang Syne"--every sound you hear is being made by Katherine's voice. The result is a very Ambient, somewhat Dream Pop version of the song which seems to carry with it much of the sadness of the year gone by (or maybe that's just me). It's free at Soundcloud.

How 'bout a Jazz version, this one from Wisconsin'sReegan Van Camp. It's just one song on a "name your price" EP of"Holiday Sketches"at Bandcamp.

Here's an excellent instrumental version of"Auld Lang Syne"from members of the Minnesota Indie Rock bandBreakthrough, led by brothersPJ & Drew Medin. It starts with a single guitar before breaking into a Rock anthem that's somewhere between TSO and Boston (excellent guitar work on this). Also free from Soundcloud.

The Australian groupPaisley Skytake the old song even further, going all Jimi Hendrix on"Auld Lang Psych". Also free on Soundcloud.

Of course, you might prefer your"Auld Lang Syne"more traditional. And it doesn't get more traditional than bagpipes. Jimmy Armstrong'scover starts with the bagpipes, then switches over to a full orchestral arrangement (with a few words from Jimmy) before closing with the bagpipes again. Quite dramatic and quite affecting...and free for the download at Soundcloud. Happy New Year, everybody.

It probably says something sad and awful about my life that one of the items on my personal Bucket List is to listen to a"Ho Ho Ho Canada"release all the way throughbeforeChristmas. I'm usually too late and too busy to give the thing a proper listen until after the holidays. Well, at least I can cross that one off, now. I stalked the sucker, this year, hauntingThe Line of Best Fit'sTwitter feed. So I knew when it was coming and I was ready.

The Line of Best Fitis an online music magazine, mostly focused on new and alternative sounds. Me being the idiot I am and mostly knowing these folks from the annual"Ho Ho Ho Canada"releases, I have always assumed they were based in Canada. But, no, they're in the UK--London, to be precise (face meet palm).

FWIW, the British alternative scene gets plenty of coverage at Christmas, so it's cool that the annualLine of Best Fitholiday collection is a showcase for Canadian artists and bands. And many, if not most, of the songs on"Ho Ho Ho Canada"are recorded exclusively for this free compilation.

But lets start with a couple of the numbers that aren't exclusive. Begonia's "It Won't Be Christmas ('Till You're Here)"is one of those awesome singles I fully intended to include in one of our singles round-ups, but I never got to it. If I had a nickel for every single I didn't get to this year, I'd have a lot of nickels. In spite of the fact that the lyrics do a lot of check-listing, the fusion of Indie Pop and Motown Soul will win my heart every time.

Whitehorsehad a remarkable Alt Rock Christmas album this year. In almost any other year,"A Whitehorse Winter Classic"would be the record everyone was buzzing about. But, in a year with holiday albums from Eric Clapton, JD McPherson, Rodney Crowell, Ingrid Michaelson, The Monkees, The Mavericks, The Old 97's, John Legend, PJ Morton and (God forgive me) William Shatner, not to mention...well, let's not. Point is,Whitehorsegot a little lost in the shuffle. Or, in some cases, lost in the battle of the wallet. But"A Whitehorse Winter Classic"is still a great album. And it's going to still be a great album next year when...there can't possibly be as many "must buy" Christmas albums next year as there were this year, can there? Whitehorsejust happened to have a song called"Ho Ho Ho". Wasn'tthatconvenient? And, by the way,Whitehorsehas their own Advent Calendar going on, so don't miss out on all the fun.

Kristian Noel Pedersen's "December 1st, 2017"is spritely Indie Pop on the subject of holiday shopping. As the title might suggest, this one's from 2017. After you listen, you're going to want to head over toBandcampand grab the name-your-price holiday album"December 1st, 2017"comes from...and all the previous volumes, as well. (And, as if that wasn't enough, Kristian's Christmas records tend to come out just a few days before Christmas...so keep an eye open for the 2018 edition.)

And, as someone who likes Christmas music from faraway lands, and that means music in languages I don't speak, how could I not love the Inuktitut version of"Christmas Time Is Here"fromBeatrice Deer? The song was included on Beatrice's 2010 holiday album,"An Arctic Christmas", which is mostly in English but does include"Silent Night"and"O Holy Night"in the native tongue of the Inuk. "Quviasuvvik Nallutimmi"also got me to check outBeatrice Deer'slatest full-length,"My All To You", and I was considerably smitten by the music. Just sayin'.

The rest of"Ho Ho Ho Canada 10"features everything from Ambient Electronica to Alt Folk and plenty of the Indie Pop and Indie Folk we've come to expect fromThe Line of Best Fit.

Kalle Mattson's "Twice The Gifts (Half The Love)"may be the first Christmas song written from the perspective of a child of divorce. Jesse Dandelion'slo-fi Electro Pop"Can I Call You For Christmas"is irresistibly delightful. There's Indie Folk fromHillsburnand lo-fi Indie Folk fromFrontperson. If you're looking for something completely different, try"That Time"by the Art Pop bandFuture Statesor"Les Automobiles"from Post-PunkersBleu Nuit. I never know whether Ambient music is good or not, but I do know what I like. And I likeJoshua Van Tassel's "Winter", which closes"Ho Ho Ho Canada 10". Joshua doesn't call his music Ambient (which, I guess, further shows my lack of understanding of the genre), but"Winter"is very Vangelis.

My personal favorites (upon first listen) were"Snowbank"byMegan Nash and Bears in Hazenmoreand"Christmas At Home"bySmaller Hearts. Yeah, I like that sort of thing so that's the sort of thing I like.

But there's plenty, here, to sink your teeth into and it's all a free gift from the artists andThe Line of Best Fit. You can read about the artists and songs at the magazine's web site and you'll find the download on Bandcamp.

If you're a regular reader of Stubby's, you know thatPolaroidis an Italian music blog and, every year, the proprietor asks bands that he knows if they'd like to make a Christmas song contribution (or, if not specifically a Christmas song, some music to decorate the tree by). I don't know why, but I always think of the Polaroid collection coming later. But, no, he does it on the 13th every year. I live for this thing. "A Polaroid For Christmas"is usually the highlight of my Christmas music season. For one thing, it's usually filled with Indie Pop and, for another, it has an international flavor. "A Polaroid For Christmas 2018"features music from Italy (of course), France, Norway, England, Brazil and America (and possibly more). And I really dig that.

"A Polaroid For Christmas 2018"is 18 tracks long, so there's some meat there. But I have to be honest, remembering that taste is a very subjective thing..."Not Comfy"byCatholic Blockis not for me. Catholic Blockis a London band, either new or newly reconstituted. "Not Comfy"is, I'd say, shoegaze. On the plus side, there's a nice melody in there. It's also loud with lots of distortion and not what I needed to wake up to this morning.

The America Indie Pop bandGhost Hotelfollowed and they are delightful. But it was"Blue Christmas". I hate"Blue Christmas". Not off to a great start for my head. If you don't hate"Blue Christmas", you will loveGhost Hotel'sversion (originally released in 2013).

So let's focus on what, for me, were the highlights on"A Polaroid For Christmas 2018", of which there are many. I found my footing with this year's comp on track four,"I Have To Work On Christmas Eve"by Italian artistCharles Wallace. This is a bubbly lo-fi Indie Pop song that looks at the bright side of having to work Christmas Eve. More money means presents under the tree. But the alternative works, too. If his lady love prefers he stay home, he's happy to do so...even though it would mean there's no dough to pay the rent. But, hey, we've got each other. "I Have To Work Christmas Eve"is the kind of song I come to Polaroid for.

Our friendsGang Cloudschannel their inner Queen for"Say No More". This is their third annual Christmas song and we're getting to be old friends, now.

There's lo-fi Indie Folk fromSleap-eon"A Fair Hell". Sleap-e'svoice is so enchanting, I really need to listen to that one again to focus on the lyrics. A brief lo-fi Folk Pop demo fromDressed Like Wolvesis also sweet. These are also what I think of as Polaroid songs. (It sometimes helps to listen to the annual Polaroid collection with just a hint of melancholy in your heart.)

It probably goes without saying thatLes Bicyclettes de Belsizeare the highlight of just about any playlist they're on. The UK Indie Pop outfit have contributed the luscious"Under The Mistletoe"from their brilliant 2018 release, "The 12 Days of Christmas".

Maybe it's because I've been watching "Nightflyers" on SyFy, butLennard Rubra's "Amore semestrale"sounds like something from "The Shining". It's a pretty Italian waltz, but the acoustics give it that spooky-room-down-the-hall feel. Postal Blue's "I Always Knew"is gorgeous--a love song but not a Christmas song, as far as I can tell.

​We loveFeatherfinaround here, the Norwegian experimental Electro Pop artist. And"The Moon Is Our Sun"shows well why we love him. "The Moon Is Our Sun"is a Winter song, not a Christmas song, and the subject matter is the three months of darkness north of the Arctic Circle. Featherfinsomehow manages to make the whole experience joyful. And, though I said it wasn't, it is a Christmas song. Because that's a good deal of what Christmas is about...sharing light in the darkness, finding warmth in our hearts when there is none from nature, and snuggling close together indoors while we wait for Winter to pass and Summer to return.
​"A Polaroid For Christmas 2018"closes with Seattle master of sarodJames Whetzel's "God Rest Ye Funky Bhangra"from his 2012 album "Holiday: Sarod & Beats".

So, all in all, not my favorite edition of"A Polaroid For Christmas"(that may well be last year's) but still better than 90% of what's out there. And it's free...an annual gift to you and me...from Polaroid.

Usually, after I ask "what's new" (and, by the way, probably have a couple more new Hanukkah tunes to drop on you before the week is out; as I said before, artists drop their Hanukkah tunes at the last second...it's weird, lke they don't want anybody to hear them)...after I ask "what's new", I ask "what's free". There actually used to be more free Hanukkah music on the web than there is now (or it certainly seemed that way) and I gave you that Chico Mann track on Night Three. Still, I think Hanukkah Harry might yet have a few things in his zak. Although most of them will be leftovers from previous years. Oy Vey.

This one I really like. It's from 2016, but I don't know that it got any coverage from our Festive Friends...being as its a Hanukkah song. "Suprholidaywintrfuntiem"is fromThe Caldera, which is one of the band names used by singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producerChris Ammannfrom Buffalo Grove, IL (about an hour outside Chricago). The Alt Rock"Suprholidaywintrfuntiem"tackles a theme we've seen tried many times before--how do you wish Season's Greetings to people who don't celebrate Christmas, but do celebrate something else? How do you wrap all of the possibilities into a single song? Yes, it's been tried many times. And they've been cute little novelties, but nothing you'd really want to listen to more than a few times. I thinkThe Calderahas succeeded where the others failed.

And I know what you're thinking
What about Kwanzaa, Solstice, Yule, Wren Day
But I've only so much space for lyrics
And only so much time to research these days online
And I don't have cultural ties to them anyway

Happy Holidays
To all who feel a bit left out
Inundated with Christmas songs
From the festively devout
Happy Holidays. Okay. Feel better.

Yes, this is a Hanukkah song...a Hanukkah song from the perspective of a self described "multicultural quarter Jew". Before that verse, we hear about latkes and Adam Sandler, all in a delightfully sardonic tone...but not mean-spirited. And then it's very Gen X..."Hey, man, whatever you're into that's cool and all the best, but I'm not gonna pretend to know what that is; I barely know whatIcelebrate." So Happy other Holidays. Happy"Suprholidaywintrfuntiem"fromThe Caldera. Grab this from Soundcloud or Bandcamp.

​Speaking of multicultural, New York Indie Folk Pop singer-songwriterYaniza Dorereleased a free holiday EP on Bandcamp back in 2013. I don't think we've mentioned it before because I wasn't around much in 2013 and, to be honest, I didn't much care for her Hanukkah song at the time. But it grew on me. Enough that I included it on my Hanukkah mix this year. In addition to her"Chanukah Is Here"original, Yaniza's"Happy Holidays"EP features covers of"Last Christmas"and"Navidad Navidad". Might as well get the whole set at Bandcamp.

​No clue whoDog Sweaterare, though Bandcamp says they're from Brooklyn. On their"Merry Twistmas"EP, they give us three twisting Alt Rock adaptations of traditional holiday songs. None of the three are really Christmas songs, by the way. There's"Twistin' In A Winter Wonderland"and"Jingle Bell Twist". And then there's"Twistin' Dreidel"which, as you might have guessed, is loosely based on"Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel". A bit of silliness, actually. But then so is the original. Get the wholeDog Sweater "Merry Twistmas"EP as a name-your-price download from Bandcamp. At least this one's from 2018.

Usually, there are a bunch of Hanukkah Folk songs around. Not so this year. Julie Geller, who usually does a new Hanukkah song every year, is doing all kinds of things to celebrate the season...but no new Hanukkah song, as far as I can tell. So back to 2017 once again. Daniel Caineris a London based singer-songwriter, broadcaster and, really, storyteller (say, wasn't I just saying that I'd settle for some Hanukkah Folk music from the UK? I believe I was.). He does a one-man show,Gefilte Fish & Chips, which has drawn rave reviews. His songs generally relate to Jewish culture (he seems particularly fond of bagels) and range from moving to "slightly irreverent". "This Chanukia"would count as one of the former. Through the ritual of lighting the candles, Daniel finds himself, not just connected to the past history of the Jewish people, but part of that history going forward. "This Chanukia"byDaniel Cainer. Nice song. Free fromSoundcloud.

​There's a lot more Hip Hop and Rap Hanukkah music than you might think. Most of it isn't that good, frankly. But the good stuff does survive. I seeToo Short's2012 single"The Hanukkah Song"is getting more play this year than any year since it's release. "Light"is, I guess, more Pop than Hip Hop, but it's the Rap bits that lift it up above much of the more routine Hanukkah fare (IMHO). "Light"is credited toYucandNTR(with guitar byYudi Minkowitz). This is from last year and it's free via Soundcloud.

I'm sure I've come across more free Hanukkah music this year but, unlike some past years, I haven't been bookmarking anything. My bookmarks are already a three-day scroll, so I figured I'd remember stuff. Big mistake. Who are you again? More of the chosen music tomorrow. Hopefully.

I'm really so far behind. You know, Christmas music this time of year is like an out of control snowball that just keeps getting bigger and rolling faster. And Missy Katz is telling me it's time for bed (she likes to sleep on my stomach, for some reason).

So let's at least get one in before bedtime. In fact, let's get in "One For Mrs. Claus" by Jane Sheldon. I've loved this song ever since I first heard it. It's really got everything you want in a Christmas song. It's Indie Pop fresh with a slight Americana tinge. It's got jangly guitars, an awesome bass line, a lovely lady and her warmly inviting voice at the helm, it sounds classic but modern, and the video's got Lois Lane (I mean Teri Hatcher) and puppets!

If you don't recognize Jane Sheldon, she was one third of American Bloomers, the LA band that was just about the hottest thing going in 2012. Jane took some time off to raise her son and is now ready to return to songwriting and making the kind of original music that's actually original.

We've previously mentioned how rarely Mrs. Claus gets her due. You know the old saying...behind every great man is a woman doing all of the work and getting none of the credit. So, in Jane Sheldon's song, Mrs. Claus finally gets a little appreciation...and a double...neat. "Who's the hero?/Don't you know, girl?/Yeah, you go, girl/Mrs. Claus!" And, may I say, it's a pleasure to see that Mrs. Claus gets a chance to socialize with someone other than elves and reindeer.

Jane Sheldon's "One For Mrs. Claus" is a sparkling joy to listen to and it makes me feel like tinsel and sleighbells. Let's hope we hear a lot more of it--and Jane--in the years to come. Given some of the...stuff we have to listen to over and over on the radio these days, there's no reason "One For Mrs. Claus" shouldn't be on every playlist (C'mon radio dudes, you don't need to play "Christmas Shoes" every freaking hour). Get "One For Mrs. Claus" at Amazon and iTunes. New single coming in February. Just sayin'.​

You've probably seen this all over the web, by now. The songs premiered on something calledGlamglareand I knowChristmas A Go Gohad it yesterday. And if you haven't already seen it all over the web, I'm sure you soon will. But it's too good for me not to put in my own two cents. The name of the band isWhyte Horsesand this is a double-A sided bit of Christmas stardust. First up, the original"Next Year Will Be Mine".

Whyte Horsesare fairly enigmatic, though we do know they are currently based in Manchester (UK). The legend goes that archivist and aficionado of pop psychedelia,Dom Thomas, went on an international quest in search of the perfect sound, several years back. Apparently, he found it.

Whyte Horsesfirst appeared with a magical and timeless single in 2014 and, since then, have issued two full-length albums. Their sound draws on multiple genres--Psych (of course), Indie Pop, Cosmic Folk, Lounge, 60s French Pop, Dream Pop, Girl Groups, and more. It's one thing to have all the proper ingredients, another entirely to mix them in the proper measure to ensure a continually delicious dish. Well, the Mad Chef has done it.

"I always wanted to write a Christmas song that had something to do with the same songs being on the radio every year,"says Dom. "I like songs about the passing of time, patterns of life and the human condition. We all need a bit of hope going into the new year and 'Next Year Will Be Mine' tries to paint that picture. The beauty is it can be sung at the end of next year if things don't work out." "Next Year Will Be Mine" is simply intoxicating, with it's mix of an infectious 60s Girl Group beat, sweet 60s French Pop harmonies, Spector-esque production, modern Indie sensibilities, and, of course, bells. ​

The other A-side is a Whyte Horses cover of the classic (and too seldom covered) "Coldest Night of the Year". You already know how we at Stubby's feel about that one; it's one of the few things posted to our Essentials Page. Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, first recorded by Nino Tempo and April Stevens, there's little question that the definitive version was by the Folk duo Twice As Much...which featured a then-unknown singer-songwriter named Vashti Bunyan. If you haven't read our piece on the song, it was conceived as a twist on "Baby, It's Cold Outside", one which thankfully removed the ick factor. "Coldest Night of the Year", in any version, gives me goosebumps and makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up...it's just such a perfect song. But it's as if it was always written for Whyte Horses. They've somehow managed to find the perfect sweet-spot between the versions by Vashti Bunyan and Nino Tempo and April Stevens, added a few of their own touches, and brought it back to life. It really should be a standard. Maybe this will be the version that makes it one.

Whyte Horses double-A-sided Christmas single releases today on all digital platforms, including Amazon and iTunes. AND, very important for we hard copy collectors, there is a limited edition 7" vinyl single available for pre-order, now. Release date for that is December 21, which likely means it won't arrive stateside in time for this Christmas. But this single is the stuff of Christmas dreams...it is stardust. You should definitely have this 45 in your collection. Once you have it, it'll be yours forever. I've ordered it. And, with my current finances, I don't shop Christmas music like I used to. "Next Year Will Be Mine"/"Coldest Night of the Year" by Whyte Horses comes with my highest recommendation and the Stubby's House seal of approval.

Skip the morning coffee. Run right over toBandcampand grab ya someSons of Old Town. "X-Mas Extravaganza, Vol. 2", officially released today, has enough energy in the first two tracks alone to fuel you through the rest of the holidays. You think I'm kidding? I had some doctors appointments, today, and was completely beat and in no mood to write anything. So I threw on theSons of Old Townand, boom, here I am writing. I'm about halfway through the record, right now, waiting for a bad track to come up but, so far, nothing but gold.

Sons of Old Townisn't a band. It's a collective of artists, supporting each other in as many ways as you can imagine. It's a community, a family. We had a go at"X-Mas Extravaganza, Vol. 1"back in 2015 (a year after it's release), but that was just a 7" with 4 tunes (Mind you,SoOThave released plenty of non-holiday records in the interim and they put on a live Christmas Extravaganza every year). Volume 2 is 15 tracks of Indie greatness--a full album's worth. Or perhaps I should say cassette's worth, since that is the physical format in which this release is being offered (there's digital, of course). I have rarely gotten excited about a cassette release in quite some time, but, man,"X-Mas Extravaganza, Vol. 2"is something I want in physical format, whatever format that is. That's right, it's so good, I gotta touch it.

The album kicks off withGlamper's "Drunk and Scrooge". This is apparently their first ever release and they do not hold back. This is good old fashioned raucous Garage Rock, but with the energy of Punk on a caffeine binge. "Drunk and Scrooge"has the potential of absolutely destroying sales of 5 Hour Energy. There aren't nearly enough Christmas songs that rock this hard. Hell, there aren't nearly enough songs of any kind that rock this hard. "Let's all get drunk and Scrooge".

​That's followed byWaterfall Wash's "Do You Know When It's Christmas?". It's a simple song about a simple concept (If Christmas is your favorite holiday, celebrate it all the time...and even that might be deeper than it is), but it's full of energy and catchy as hell. "My favorite holiday is Christmas. My favorite holiday is Christmas. My favorite holiday is Christmas." This is one you're definitely going to be singing to yourself in the office on Monday.

The tempo slows a bit on what may be my favorite song on"X-Mas Extravaganza, Vol. 2", the Alt-Americana bandPickup Sticks' "I Wish It Was Christmas". If you're the kind of person whose first thought at every struggle through the year is "I wish it was Christmas", then you'll connect with this one instantly. But, man, I dig the sound. Never heard Americana (Alt or otherwise) rock this good.

And givingPickup Sticksserious competition for my favorite from the set is"Holiday Parties"byEmpty Atlas. Have you ever seen the same girl (or guy) at assorted holiday parties and yet you never meet? Yeah, you start inventing a whole back story, maybe imagine your first conversation (which you imagine you'll screw up by talking too much), you build a whole life together. Yet, somehow, you can't bring yourself to just walk up and say "Hi". I remember someone exactly like that and, you know what, I kissed her at Midnight one New Year's Eve...and still never got her name (great kiss though). Not that it would've gone anywhere. She was way out of my league. But, geez, at least get a name. Anyway, love this song--Indie Pop Rock with some noticeable Nashville influence.

Sean Knisely offers the multi-purpose"Feel It While We Can (Cold Cold Christmas)". Noting that it doesn't get that cold in Nashville until January, Sean advises that you pretend"that it's a cold cold Christmas"so you have an excuse to get someone to hold. And, if that's not enough to convince someone to spend Christmas with you, just remind them of Global Warming. "They say the whole world's melting slowly/It's all temporary/And so just maybe Christmas/Will never be this cold again." As pick-up lines go, I like it. The best thing aboutSean Knisely'strack is the music, though. It's got that Gary Numan snappiness to it (and the award for Most Effective Use of Drum Machines goes to...), but with a hipper beat and without the monotone vocals. That's one I want to go back to...again and again.

"Christmas In The Club"bySpoken Nerdbrings a little Electro Hip-Hop to the party. Ben Rickettsgives us a very Pop friendly Experimental Electronic tune in"Nothing More". The melody of"Nothing More"is mid-60s Pop. The surrounding music (including lots of bells...what is it with bells this year), oddly seems to work, though it does sometimes feel a bit like the musical equivalent of a Salvador Dali clock. "Right Beside You"is a beautiful Alt Folk Rock tune with lovely comforting lyrics fromThe Embrace.

Cory Taylor Coxis one of the driving forces behindSons of Old Town. He teams up withRock Europafor a pretty Alt Pop tune,"Put Your Coat On". ThenParker Hodges hooks us up with a John Prine worthy"Christmas Jr."which grabbed me right at the start with the line"My neighbor got mad at my brother and me/For shootin' squirrels in his yard on Chritmas Eve". Not enough songs about Christmas Eve squirrel shooting, if you ask me. The whole song is filled with vivid images and memories like that. The music employs a few effects that Prine never would. All the better for that.

If you're as sick of"Blue Christmas"as I am, you probably also find red, green and gold to be cliche. Let's see, what color hasn't gotten it's holiday due? Beige! I betcha nobody's ever done a song about a beige Christmas. Well, now, they have. The artist known asGoogolplexiaoffers an ode to a"Beige Holiday", in which he covers Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa (gonna have to go back and see if he got Ramadan in there). This one's a bit of a goof and, though it's a cool concept and executed well, probably the song on"X-Mas Extravaganza, Vol. 2"I'm least fond of.

The Great Palumbobrings me back around with a home recorded Alt Folk Pop"Two Feet". "Two Feet"is about how things change as we get older ("where'd the time go") and how some things don't ("Yeah, I'm coming home for Christmas/If it's the last thing that I do/I heard we're getting two feet of snow and/I'm bringing my two feet to you").

Charlie Murphey's "It's Christmas"is genius. You can hear Charlie's heartbreak at the first sign of the season. "In the middle of October/Already know that I won't make it sober"and"Thanksgiving helps me to remember/I can only spend limited time with family members/Before it gets weird and we're bringing up history". Really, a gem of a tune, there.

"X-Mas Extravaganza, Vol. 2"closes with theSons of Old Townversion of Phil Spector's"Silent Night"(which is to say a religious tune closing out a mostly secular album). Jake Woodgives us a nice reverby Alt Folk"Come That Fount".

Now this write-up (though too long, as usual) is even a bit more off-the-cuff than usual. I literally wrote this while listening to"X-Mas Extravaganza, Vol. 2"for the first time (usually, for a review, I give something a minimum of 3 spins). And clearly I started to run out of gas about mid-way through, but I was beat to begin with and wasn't going to write anything tonight. But this is a brilliant album that I guarantee you're gonna love. "X-Mas Extravaganza, Vol. 2"belongs in every Christmas stocking in America. And the cassette (which comes WITH a digital download) is actually cheaper than the download alone. But it's limited, so don't sleep on it. Some of the bundle packages are already close to sold out. More information and great, great music awaits you at Bandcamp.

Linnea Elliswas born in Borlänge, Sweden. She was playing the violin at the age of three, started playing guitar and writing songs around age 12. She experimented with various styles before settling on a Folky Nordic Pop sound. In 2003, Linnea moved to Stockholm where she worked in bars and sang in clubs. They were "blurry years" for the artist--working, partying, playing, partying, and just trying to find a place to live--all contributed to an exhausting and confusing time. Eventually, she moved to Oslo, believing she'd had her fill of Stockholm. In 2008, Linnea wrote and recorded an EP on her laptop in her bedroom, including"Warmest Winter". But on the laptop it stayed.

Linnea began DJing, became a booking agent for other female DJs, and campaigned for parity for women in the music industry. After nearly a decade of this, she reconsidered some of her choices. "I thought I was done with Stockholm," she says, "but after a while I realized that I wasn’t running away from the city so much as from my emotions. So I gathered myself, moved back to Stockholm, and brought with me this song.”

When the women who would become Linnea's producers--Caroline Lanté (Judy K) and Hanna Ekström (Stockholm Strings)--heard "Warmest Winter", they were convinced they'd found a gem of an artist who was ready to shine. Linnea, too, was ready to move her EP from the laptop to the studio and on to the world.

"Warmest Winter" is very atmospheric and just packed with emotion. And there issomuch emotion, and with nothing in the surrounding music wasted, I find myself reflecting on my own stack of emotions. It's like I'm on a long bus trip, looking out the window at a snowy white world, and contemplating my own life--the good and the bad, the fears and the hopes. Songs that can do that--make you reach inside yourself and lay all the secrets bare (even if they're only secrets you were keeping from yourself)--songs like that are rare. They are gold. But even if you don't want to do an inventory of your life or think about the emotions in"Warmest Winter", the music is absolutely stunning. It's a dreamy melody and the production is perfection (to repeat myself, not a single note or sound is wasted). Dare to dance with her; you won't regret it."Warmest Winter" by Linnea Ellis is available from CD Baby and Amazon. A full EP should follow. We'll have our ears out for that one. And Linnea is writing new music, as well, for which we should all be thankful.

After looking at my life and crashing back into the hard, hard world,"Peace"is exactly what I need.

Ruth Acuffis generally referred to as an Indie Folk artist. But how many Indie Folk artists do you know who have the harp as their axe? I think of Folk musicians, I picture a guy walking along the railroad tracks with a guitar slung on his back. I don't think you can do that with a harp. But it sure does sound sweet.

I know you're asking and, yes, Country star Roy Acuff is part of the family tree, but Ruth's blazing her own musical trail. I'd have thought the harp would have been the dead giveaway. Ruth Acuffresides in Missouri and, after fronting a Psych Rock band and an Alt Folk band, embarked upon a solo career, releasing the EP"Paisley"in 2011. She has one full length to her credit,"This Is The Dream"(which features the song"Winter", btw...just sayin'). Although she actually plays several instruments (including the Uke), the harp really serves to bring out the beauty of her angelic ethereal (almost childlike) voice. The addition of a small string set on"Peace"further help to frame both Acuff's harp and voice.

When the cold has ahold on you,
it takes everything you have to keep on pushing through.
Peace is what I wish for you.
When there’s no one else but you, alone in a crowded room.
Peace, a calm you can trust.
You’re breathing in that stardust.

Those are some really nice and well written lyrics. The harp notes at the beginning of "Peace" feel like the sun sparkling off the waters of a peaceful lake lapping the shore at sunset. And the "choir break" (cuz I don't know what else to call it) near the end feels very much like being gently touched by an angel, and all of your woes being drained from whatever swamp of darkness has accumulated within. Ruth Acuff may, indeed, be an Indie Folk singer, but "Peace" lies somewhere between New Age and Chamber Pop, I think. Grab some "Peace" from Bandcamp or Amazon. And do it soon; you look like you could use some.

Two straight holiday singles without a single mention of Christmas? Well, we'll fix that right now.

We touched upon"This Life (This Christmas)"byMilton & Jonesbriefly in our review of "A Very Cherry Christmas 13", but this brand new song is also a stand-alone single coming out on Friday and well worthy of being featured by itself, although I'm not sure what I could add to the fine job done by Christmas Underground. Well, "encyclopedic Stubby" (inside joke; Jim gets it) has to at least give it a try.

Even if you've only dabbled in Indie, you should knowNeil Milton. He's a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer and has been (and, technically, may still be) a member of several bands plus a solo artist, but probably is best known for his work withThe Frozen North, a Post-Rock instrumental band (well...that's where I know him from). Neil is also the founder and CEO of Too Many Fireworks, a small independent record label that started in Glasgow, Scotland, and relocated (with Neil) to Warsaw in Poland. Neil had been writing songs and looking for a musical partner. Among the ideas he was working on was a Christmas song--a song he admits he wrote just to see if he "could do it, do it festive, and do it well".

Jules Jonescalled Seattle home, where she was one fourth of the Dream Pop bandEphrata. Jules was also a filmmaker and, in 2017, relocated to Warsaw to write and make the sequels to the film "Planeta Singli". She very much missed her band and was hoping to find someone in Warsaw to collaborate with. While researching music for the soundtrack, Jules noticed that she couldn't find any songs about Christmas break-ups where the break up was acknowledged as final and a good thing. All the songs were all "pining for the fjords" (i.e. "I want you back") and what not..."we'll meet again, don't know how don't know when"...that sort of thing.

As it just so happened, Neil had spent some time on radio in Poland promoting film music. Jules and Neil crossed paths online, Neil mentioned his Christmas song, which was just the sort of thing Jules had been looking for and...folks, we got us a Hallmark movie, here. They had tremendous fun writing and recording with each other and you know what I always say...if the performers are having a good time, the listeners will as well.

Now, musically, I used the term "shoegazey" in the Cherryade write-up (distorted guitars will do that to me). And I'll retract that. But I'm not going to jump on the Spector bandwagon, either. I think people leap too quick to the Spector analogies. But you know what I do hear? I hear a bit of Beatles in there. Listen to that riff in the chorus and tell me that isn't something the boys from Liverpool would do? Anyway you look at it, though, it's some mighty fine Indie Pop that can stand on its own without comparisons to anyone. And I do love the lyrics. “We’ll never meet again / not gonna be friends / this is a happy end / This life’s gonna start / this Christmas.”

The virtual flip is"Love Actually", a sweet understated tune about a couple sharing movies on Christmas (which gives us another one of those Indie song titles with a double meaning). How long before that couple is watching the Hallmark movie based on Neil and Jules and their Christmas single? Because"Love Actually"is a little less rambunctious than"This Life (This Christmas)", you actually get a better sense of how well the voices ofMilton & Jonessound together. They sound fantastic and I certainly hope the collaboration doesn't stop with one single. Come Friday, you can get"This Life (This Christmas)"/"Love Actually"byMilton & Jonesfrom Bandcamp or Amazon. You done did it, Neil and Jules, did it festive and did it well.

Since we're on the subject of Indie Pop and since I don't have the time I wish I did to feature everything the way I'd like, I'm going to close with an EP (i.e. not a single). But it's so damn good and I just want to--at least--bring it to your attention. Actually, I could play the loophole card and tell you it's TWO singles and a couple of additional tracks, but we'll get to that.

I don't know much aboutThe Hannah Barberas, other than the fact that their names are Damien, Lucy, Doug and Matthew. They appear to have just popped up this year and they've become quite popular among Internet bloggers who specialize in Indie Pop. One listen and you'll understand why. The word "effervescent" was probably created in anticipation of their arrival. But the word "sparkly" is probably more their style. Jangly guitars, a bass that's fun to follow, harmonies that take me back to Spanky & Our Gang, and lyrics that make you smile from ear to ear. The Hannah Barberasare a force...not to be reckoned with...but to be enjoyed every moment of every day. (Psst. If you "follow" the group on Bandcamp, you may be in line for some free and limited downloads.)

There are 4 songs on"Christmas Bandwagon", 3 originals and a cover of"Christmas Time Is Here". I thought I'd heard about every possible thing you could do with that one...until I heardThe Hannah Barberasgive it the upbeat Now Sound treatment. Suddenly it's cool again. All proceeds from"Christmas Bandwagon"are going to Shelter, a very worthy UK charity.

There are two songs from"Christmas Bandwagon"available as singles on Amazon,"Oh Santa Claus!"and"A Dream For Christmas". They're great songs. But, really, do you want to leave those other two songs just laying there? Not to mention that Amazon takes a bigger bite than Bandcamp, so that means less going to the cause. So do everybody a favor and buy the full"Christmas Bandwagon"EP onBandcamp.

We're going to close with"A Dream For Christmas"which would seem to reflect the charitable intentions ofThe Hannah Barberas. Besides, it's really a wonderful tune and the harmonies sleigh me.

It's not now or never, it's every year
But no one can tell if the next one will be that last one we cheer
So promise me something before you go
That you'll tell your loved ones how you need them so
You say 'see you later'
Well see that you doSo dream that this Christmas
The loneliness will end
And everyone out in the cold
Is welcomed home again

There's an expression in politics--"fighting the last war". What it means is that politicians and parties frequently fall victim to assuming that the tactics which proved decisive in the previous election will hold true in the current one. But things change, people change, attitudes change, situations change...everything changes. So someone who approaches an election "fighting the last war" is almost certain to lose, no matter how well they execute their game plan. It's like the weather. One day it's 50 degrees, the next it's 20. Dress for the yesterday and you'll freeze today.

So practically as long as I can remember, people have been trying to re-create the success of the albums we hold to be iconic...be it Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" or Phil Spector's "A Christmas Gift For You". Even when they succeed, they fail...because they are, in essence, "fighting the last war". To crate a Christmas album that has the potential to become an evergreen...an album that future generations will look back upon and say, "That's what Christmas sounds like"...it has to be of it's time. Michael Buble did a very nice Christmas album and he did it very well. But it wasn't an album of it's time. It was an album that harkened back to an earlier time. As soon as you conjure the phrase "harken back", you lose. If we have anything approaching an iconic Christmas album in the last quarter century, it's Low's "Christmas"...and that was nearly 20 years ago. Some will say Sufjan, but I think Sufjan was following the path that Low had blazed. That said, doing an album today that "harkens back" to Low's would also be "fighting the last war".

All of which is a very long way of saying I think the folks with the best label name in the business, Where It's At Is Where You Are, have created an album in "Stars" that has the potential to become the seminal Christmas album of this generation...the album that, 30 to 40 years from now, people will look back upon and say, "That's what Christmas sounds like".

"Let's write a song for Christmas/Go and grab your guitar/We'll make a song for everybody/Get to the top of the charts/Let's find a rhyme for tinsel/Create a song to be sung/In December of every year and/Remind you when we were young". And so begins "Stars". One of the things that made "A Christmas Gift For You" an album of it's time was that the record was very "in your face". By that I mean that the album was almost entirely made up of secular covers remade in the upstart music of the day and it opened with, horrors, "White Christmas". It was, in a way, a total rejection of everything Christmas music had been up until then. Boomers were like that. Millennials or Gen Z--or whatever they're calling the latest generation--is no less skeptical of their predecessors, but they're less "in your face" about it. Instead of "we're going to take your thing and make it our thing", it's more like "we're going to do our own thing, which will be better than your thing". Or, put simply, there are no covers on "Stars".

The opening number, "Christmas Stars" by Whoa Melodic is not just a brilliant Christmas song, but a brilliant choice to set the tone for the rest of the album. It's beautiful Indie Pop, replete with jangly guitars and ooh-la-la harmony vocals. It's today's Indie sound--sort of the raw Indie of the late 90s meeting up with Coldplay and settling somewhere in between. And it's today's Indie messaging, as in "we're going to do something for everybody that will also push us to the top of the charts." It's neither selfish nor selfless--it's hopeful but not unrealistic (dare I say it's ho-listic?). And it has the slightly ironic title (we aren't talking about stars in the Christmas night sky; the band intends to become "Christmas Stars"). OK, maybe I'm reading too much into things, but then I'm still reeling from the review of "Xmas Gold", so my mind is in a trippy place. Rest assured, if all you want to know is whether "Christmas Stars" by Whoa Melodic is a good song that will withstand repeated plays...it is. It is, in fact, one of the best Christmas songs I've heard since...well, since "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)".

The rest of "Stars" is nearly as good. Scrabbel's "Hiding In The Snow" is like a concept album within a single song. Scrabbel takes a simple progression and makes it endlessly fascinating. They take a simple idea--calling out from work to hang with friends in the snow--and make it seem like the very secret of life. Hey, I'm convinced. And it's simultaneously just what it says and metaphor. In a way, we're all "trying to get back to the snow". Aren't we?

​White Town's "Say You'll Be Home For Christmas" has got a little bit of Barry White about it (not the voice; nobody has Barry's voice), which is ironic since it's about being alone at Christmas. "Is it warm where you are? Are you safe under the stars? Do you miss home at all? Say you'll come home and see me. Say you'll come home and see me. Say you'll come home and see me. This Christmas. This Christmas." Someone's moved on and someone hasn't. Dreamy music (with a beat) and a very realistic and relatable situation, punctuated by vocals that are, from time to time, ever so slightly off key (which makes the song even more relatable). "Say You'll Be Home For Christmas" is oddly cathartic. The music is sad, yet uplifting in a way. And the story is pathetic but all too relatable. I don't think she's coming home, dude.

OK. I gotta admit. I don't get the bells at all. Somebody is going to have a very clever explanation of why "Todmorden Bells" is "genius" and I'm still going to think it's crap. I'm a stupid Boomer, so I'm probably not supposed to get it anyway.

Darren Hayman's "Blue Tinsel, Red Tinsel" is just a joyous song of Christmas seen through the eyes of a child (and with actual children), or an adult who is more in touch with his childhood than most of us could ever hope to be. What's really wonderful about "Blue Tinsel, Red Tinsel" is that the music is so perfect, you really don't even need the lyrics to feel what the song is about. Favorite line: "And a game called 'Cheat' where everybody cheats", although that bit about the bike was pretty good, too.

"Ginger Wine (Just Like Christmas Day)" by Bill Botting is a good example of celebrating good moments amidst the mundane of real life and, when life is nothing but mundane, celebrating as if there are good moments...just like Christmas Day. Musically, "Ginger Wine" has a similar feel, to me, to Davitt Sigerson's "It's A Big Country". Probably nobody will agree with me on that, but that's how it rolls for me.

​"Deck the halls with boughs of holly/Tis the time for melancholy/Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree, don't weep for me". "Christmas Tree (Burn, Burn, Burn)" by The Catenary Wires is a bit like a modern Indie "Fairytale of New York" (blasphemy, I know; but dysfunctional relationships aren't exclusive to any one generation). After 7 years, the guy just split, and everything about the song tells you how they were growing apart. She sings: "Deck the halls with boughs of holly."He sings: "Tis the time for melancholy." That tells you all you need to know. And, in the "music of it's time" theme, nobody seems too broken up over the break up. You know...s#&% happens.

​More bells. Some backwards. Still don't get it.

"Stars" closes with Jeff Mellin's "January Bluff", a down-tempo ode to New Year's. It's the perfect ending to a nearly perfect album (frickin' bells). "Don't worry 'bout a thing.....New Year's here". The lyrics beautifully (and in great detail) describe New Year's Eve. I don't know the traditions in the UK, so I don't know if the drop he's describing is like our Times Square drop, if it is our Times Square drop (via telly), or if it is simply metaphorical--but it does make it very relatable for Yanks. This is a long song and there's an awful lot going on in it. But, in typical Indie Pop fashion, the key is the duel meanings of the title, "January's Bluff". In one sense, a bluff is a cliff...a demarkation point, the end of one thing and the beginning of another. I love the way Webster's Dictionary phrases the other meaning: "to deter or frighten by pretense or a mere show of strength". See? This whole idea of wiping away the old year and starting anew is a fraud. And it's a fraud we repeat year after year--convincing ourselves "by pretense or a mere show of strength"that this day will change everything. As if to lay it out more plainly, there is an extended repetition in the last part of the song: "Cry your eyes out, dry your tears". On one level, many people do precisely this. On another, it's a metaphor for life. And (while, again, I may be reading too much into all this) the song is as long as it is because there is no demarkation between the years--nothing changes (everything changes)--life just goes on, and goes on, and goes on...until it doesn't.

The music of my people, Boomers, was always pretty much unbearably happy or unbearably sad, soft or hard; we're the kind of people who see everything as nails and ourselves as the hammers. It's what I grew up with, so I like it just fine. But there's a different quality to modern Indie music. Christmas Underground might call it "terribly sad lyrics with beautiful music", others might call it a "knowing cynicism", but it's really just facing the reality of life for what it is and making the best of it. The music on "Stars" has that quality. And all of it is just beautiful Indie Pop with no sidetrips to Shoegaze or Pop Punk or Noir Folk or whatever today's new genre is. All of that together makes this an incredibly enjoyable and cohesive album--one that has the potential to become an iconic Christmas record--a record that people will look back upon in 30 or 40 years and say, "That's what Christmas sounds like."

"Stars" is the third WIAIWYA Christmas collection that I'm aware of. "50,000,000 Elves Fans Can't Be Wrong" (2001) and "Christmastime Approximately" (2010) were fine and memorable Indie collections. "Stars" is better. "Stars" will be released November 30 in digital and limited edition color vinyl formats. This is one where you should definitely get the vinyl. I believe "Stars" is culturally significant. But, even if I'm wrong about that, it's just freaking gorgeous and bloody brilliant. (And I have to learn to write shorter reviews. Just sayin'.)

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I love Christmas, music, and cats. What more do you need to know?Anyone wishing to contact Stubby's for any reason may do so by emailing:​stubbyschristmas@gmail.com.Readers should assume that any item reviewed on this site has been provided by the artist or label in exchange for promotional consideration, whether or not that is actually the case. If you are the copyright holder for any song or image appearing here and wish that item to be removed, please let me know via email and I will remove it forthwith. My intentions are to inform and interest people in your work, so that they might purchase it; not to provide anyone a way to avoid doing so.